Got frustrated with the writing today and took a trip to a nearby mall, ending up in Winners, where I found some forlorn and battered boxes of Numi teabags. I bought the two boxes of “Numi’s Assortment,” mostly to get a few old faves in there; I adore Numi’s Aged Earl Grey and Monkey King Jasmine. A few others in there I really want to try, too.

To my surprise: one bag per box of Numi’s Chinese Breakfast Yunnan Black Tea. Oooh, a new China black tea to try.

Very good. Especially for a bagged tea. Bit of malt, faint bits of honey and smoke, and a nice pepper bite. Mineral finish. (I guess that’s what the Numi ad copy called “spring water” in the finish.) Refreshing. I love Yunnan black tea, and I really wish Numi was easier to find in NL. I will try to re-steep the bag, but my hopes aren’t high.

Good Black Needles is sooooooo nice. I’m more a fan of the Black Needles Yunnan from Stash. I found the DT’s version a bit flat in comparison. But that might have been an older batch. Mmm, peppery tea …

Can’t wait to try the stash version, then, since I (and everyone I give it to try) really love the DT version. Main reason I got it was that all the staff there said it was their favourite straight black .. they sold me on it!

DT’s Black needles is not a bad tea — don’t get me wrong. And it has the distinct advantage of being easier to get, if you live near a bricks and mortar DT. Yunnan has that amazing ability to refesh even more quickly than good Indian teas — and believe me, I am a serious fan of India blacks. I just find the variety I get from Stash has more depth of flavour.

Good Black Needles is sooooooo nice. I’m more a fan of the Black Needles Yunnan from Stash. I found the DT’s version a bit flat in comparison. But that might have been an older batch. Mmm, peppery tea …

Can’t wait to try the stash version, then, since I (and everyone I give it to try) really love the DT version. Main reason I got it was that all the staff there said it was their favourite straight black .. they sold me on it!

DT’s Black needles is not a bad tea — don’t get me wrong. And it has the distinct advantage of being easier to get, if you live near a bricks and mortar DT. Yunnan has that amazing ability to refesh even more quickly than good Indian teas — and believe me, I am a serious fan of India blacks. I just find the variety I get from Stash has more depth of flavour.